Collapsible and portable infant sleeping area

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a baby crib, more particularly to a baby crib covering that can be assembled with ease. In greater detail the invention regards a covering for a crib or baby sleeping area.

The invention relates to a 3 dimensional covering for a baby crib, orsimilar baby sleeping area, more particularly that can be assembled anddisassembled with ease. In greater detail the invention regards acovering for a crib or baby sleeping area. Since presumably the dawn oftime mothers and fathers have put their children to sleep in a crib likestructure until just recently the structure has been open to the air andthe light and the insects. What is needed is the ability to cover ababy's sleeping area so as to prevent light and/or in many ways tominimize noise from the surrounding environment which might improperlyimpact a sleeping child as well as to prevent insects from interactingwith the sleeping child.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to create acollapsable 3 dimensional support, within which lies a crib or othertype of sleeping bed for a child. The covering or blanket is placed overthe 3 dimensional outer structor, such that the sleeping area isprotected from exterior noises. The covering may be comprised of ablanket which is of sufficient size so as to completely cover the 3dimensional outer structure within which is the sleeping area or cribwithin which lies the infant. The invention may further be seen as anouter structure under which is found a child sleeping area, such as acrib. Said outer structure being further covered by a blanket so as toconserve heat, or by a mesh covering to prevent insects from botheringthe sleeping or playing child.

The structure of which we speak is comprised of four upwardly extendingarms which may be connected at their corners, forming a box. Theupwardly extending vertical arms are perhaps 2 to 6 feet in length withcorresponding crosspieces, such that a Box-type structor is formed. Ablanket or covering which is of sufficient size so as to cover theupwardly extending box either with or without clips to attach theblanket to the upwardly extending pieces is further provided. The cribmay be of the type that is known in the industry and is called by thetrade name “Pack-N-play”. Into this type of structures the upwardlyextending arms are slid either to the outside or along the inside of thecorners such that they may or may not contact the floor. Once a child isplaced within the crib the blankets or other covering items are placedover the upwardly extending box so as to create a dark interior toprovide for the babies rest.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention will further be described with reference to thecorresponding Figures and included numbers.

FIG. 1 displays the upwardly extending arms (2) which are designed tosnugly fit either around the outside (1B) or down within (1A) the cornerslots of the crib. FIG. 1 further displays the cross pieces (2)connecting the uppermost end of the upwardly extending support arms andfurther depicts the folding means (1) which also includes expansion andsecuring means (3,4,5,6) which further allows connection of thesupporting structor, which is shown as a cube type structor, yet mayhave numerous configurations, including a soccer-type or a teepee or anarching type system. What is also shown is a similar structure much likea soccer goal where there is not a corresponding cross piece along thebase of the structor. Further displayed in FIG. 1 are corner pieces (4)which facilitate connecting of the upwardly extending support piece andthe cross pieces. All such portions of the structure can be fabricatedof either plastic, wood or metal or any desirable material so long as itwill support the covering material. Moreover the corner pieces (4) aredesigned to allow for collapsing of the supporting structor so as toplace said structor in storage for future use or for travel. Thecollapsed structor may be stored in any suitable area so as to be out ofthe way, perhaps under a bed or the top of a closet.

FIG. 2 displays a close-up view of the corner piece of the device and/orthe upwardly extending box, more clearly depicting the bar (2), thecorner, connecting piece (7), as well as the connecting/points ofexpansion (3,9) as well as depicting the holes through which a nut andbolt type fastening device may be inserted. The covering which shouldfit over and completely cover the upwardly extending box. The coveringmay be thick or thin depending upon the temperature either outside orinside so as to provide adequate warmth to the infant. This particulararrangement would facilitate either the placement of an infant withinthe crib and/or the removal of the infant from the crib. This typearrangement is similar to what is envisioned where the upwardlyextending structor is open like a soccer goal with no bottom crosspiece. FIG. 2A further displays snapping or attachment means whereby thecover is secured over the cross member pieces of the supporting box.Snapping means are provided whereby the covering fabric may be foldedover the cross member pieces so as to securely and detachably attachsaid fabric around the cross member portions. Said attachment meansincludes velcro type fastening devices or magnetic type fastening meansor clips.

FIG. 3 Displays the corner connecting means, from beneath lookingupwardly showing corner connecting means (7), as well as securing means(3,4).

FIG. 4 displays the connecting means in a transparent mode, showing theconnecting hole (12) through which a connection means, such as a bolt(8) or similar device is passed. This Figure further displays a tensionspring (10), supplying pressure against rod (15), and depicting lengthadjustor portion (11). Also shown in FIG. 4 is a securing nut wherebyportion (9) is securely held.

FIG. 5 is depicted a view from beneath FIG. 4 looking upwards showingwasher (12).

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the connection means showing cap (3).

FIG. 7 displays the connecting means is closed or in the connected view.

FIG. 8 shows the upwardly extended box in the open view.

FIG. 9 displays the upwardly extended box in closed view.

FIG. 10 shows a horizontal sliced view across the connection means,showing hinged portion (3), bolt (8), connecting pin (11), spring (10),interior rod (15), within outer bar (2), connected onto receiving stub(9).

FIG. 11 depicts where the upwardly extending box contacts the floor (2A)

Said collapsing of the upwardly extending structor may also occur atspecified areas along the cross pieces, such at (3, 4 and 7). Thesedesignated spots are determined by the ease of use and not by thecorresponding figures. It is clearly to be understood by those ofordinary skill in the art that there may be different ways whereby saidupwardly extending structor may be collapsed. Appropriate means aredepicted in FIG. 15 whereby the upwardly extending arm and crosspieceare brought together. This FIG. 15 further shows the upwardly extendingstructor in it's partially collapsed form. This FIG. 15 further showsthe structor in it's fully collapsed form. The designation of partiallycollapsed, and fully collapsed forms are described merely to designateand show the ability to be performed. Additional means will beunderstood by those of ordinary skill in the art so as to collapse theupwardly extending structor to allow for easy storage.

FIG. 12 depicts the structor with the covering (15) further showing theclips or snaps securing the covering.

FIG. 13 shows the structor with covering showing securing means (15).

FIG. 14 depicts the structor and means whereby it may be collapsed(17,18).

1. An upwardly extending structor is defined by 4 upwardly extendingportions, 3 to 4 corresponding cross pieces, forming thereby astructure.
 2. The claim according to claim 1 further comprising acovering.
 3. The claim according to claim 1 wherein an attachment meansis provided whereby the upwardly extending portions are fixably andmovably connected to the cross pieces.
 4. The claim according to claim 1wherein both the upwardly extending portions and the cross pieces areconstructed from the group consisting of wood, plastic and metal.
 5. Theclaim according to claim 1 wherein the covering is a thick blanket typecovering whereby the babies heat is conserved.
 6. The claim according toclaim 1 wherein the covering is a mesh type covering.
 7. The claimaccording to claim 1 wherein the upwardly extending structor iscollapsible into a neat arrangement so as to be easily stored.
 8. Theclaim according to claim 1 wherein the downwardly extending arms to notcontact the floor through the crib.
 9. The claim according to claimclaim 5 wherein the covering does not extend to the floor.
 10. The claimaccording to claim 1 further providing an expansion means and acollapsing means.
 11. An upwardly extending soccer-goal type structor isdefined by 4 upwardly extending portions, 3 corresponding cross pieces,and a covering such that the front is open like a soccer goal.
 12. Theclaim according to claim 10 wherein the bottom of the structure is openlike a soccer goal.
 13. The claim according to claim 10 wherein anattachment means is provided whereby the upwardly extending portions arefixedly and movably connected to the cross pieces.
 14. The claimaccording to claim 10 wherein both the upwardly extending portions andthe cross pieces are made from the group consisting of wood, plastic,metal.
 15. The claim according to claim 10 wherein the covering is athick blanket type covering whereby the babies heat is conserved. 16.The claim according to claim 10 wherein the upwardly extending box iscollapsible into a neat arrangement so as to be easily stored.
 17. Theclaim according to claim 10 wherein the downwardly extending portions donot contact the floor.
 18. The claim according to claim 14 wherein thecovering does not contact the floor.